This year was finally the year we got to share our love of Iceland and its incredible landscapes with our children for a 6 day family holiday of adventure and exploring. Jon has been frequently visiting Iceland for the past few years for both business and pleasure, so we had an idea of some of the top locations we wanted to put on our list to visit. Iceland is bigger than some people expect, and to get to those amazing places, you need to do quite a bit of driving so a good size car to accommodate the four of us and all our stuff was on the agenda right after booking our accommodation. We reached out to a few of the Iceland car hire companies, focussing on the ones in the airport car parking area, to see if they would like to collaborate with us. Zero Car came back with a very generous offer on the car of our choice, the Kia Sportage.
READ BELOW TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT OUR ICELAND CAR HIRE WITH ZERO CAR AND WHAT WE THOUGHT OF IT!
We received a discount on our hire for review purposes but all words, photos and opinions are our own
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Booking and collecting our Hire Car
Booking Our Iceland Car Hire
I’ve been through many car booking and pricing pages for Iceland car hire online, comparing prices and it usually feels a bit clunky navigating your way through the options once you have chosen the car and the date. We also had the added requirement of needing a child seat which with some companies was very unclear. Zero Car were the only company who I feel had a very clear and simple process to adding extras to the booking, especially with the child car seat options. You can choose from two different sizes so you know you are requesting the correct seat for your little one.
When you’re travelling to Iceland as a family, there are a few extra things to think about when booking your hire car. We needed something big enough for four of us, all our luggage and, of course, a child seat. I’d definitely recommend checking the different vehicle options and adding any extras you need when you book, rather than leaving it until you arrive. It’s also worth checking exactly what’s included in your rental price, particularly when it comes to insurance and additional drivers.
Hassle Free Insurance Cover
Most car hire companies wait until the end of the booking process to offer their various insurance cover packages with varying excess amounts. Zero Car Hire roll it all into one offer of zero excess in cases of damage for total peace of mind. You might be wondering why you actually need these insurances, are they just a scam to make more money? Short answer, no. The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable and because the landscape is so open, when it’s windy, there’s little escape from it. Opening a door on a windy day can go from ok, to “ oops, it’s snapped the door strap “ and you’ve dented the door. One time we were driving to the highlands and we got a puncture, but thankfully we had insurance so it was all covered. It’s definitely worth getting full cover. Here is Zero Car Hires Insurance Policy
One thing I’d recommend when comparing Iceland car hire is looking beyond the headline price and checking exactly what the insurance covers. Iceland’s weather and driving conditions can be very different from what we’re used to at home, and things like strong winds, gravel, sand and ash can all present additional risks. Even when a rental company offers zero-excess cover, it’s worth checking the exclusions and whether any additional protection is needed for your planned route.
Collecting Our Hire Car at Keflavík Airport
One of the things we wanted from our Iceland car hire was a straightforward airport pickup. When you’re travelling with children, suitcases and all the extra bits and pieces that come with a family holiday, the last thing you want is a complicated collection process. Plus we knew there was a chance it would be snowing when we arrived, so didn’t want to have to spend too long outside.
The Zero Car Hire Rental is just a short walk acorss the main airport parking lot from the arrivals area. Around 5 minutes walk. It is easy to navigate and easy to find. Although there are multiple other car hire companies all in the same place, so you just need to make sure your at the right company
Online Check-in
I have to hold my hands up, I totally forgot to do this! This resulted in me waiting in line at the airport car pickup, costing me 20 mins. The online check-in allows you to do all the usual stuff you would at the desk, but you can pick your key up from a lock box within a matter of a minute or two. No waiting around, just here’s your key, off you go.
Lets talk about the actual hire car we chose
Our Kia Sportage in Iceland
We chose the Kia Sportage for this trip. I have previously hired a Rav4 and Discovery sport but fancied trying a new vehicle this time round. We knew we wanted a 4×4 as it had been snowing, and having the reassurance of the four wheel drive system for peace of mind was a must. Even though the car is fitted with studded tyres as standard, I couldn’t imagine only having two wheeled drive, from experience.
The car comes with a full tank of fuel as standard, and you return it with a full tank. With our car we got an Olis discount token to knock a few pence off the cost per litre. Most of the cars are now some sort of Hybrid. The Kia is a plugin hybrid but theres no need to worry about the EV side of things, just stick with petrol as you would any regular petrol only car. As soon as you have your key, you can jump in and get going on the open road.
One of the big reasons we wanted a 4×4 is for the peace of mind, that while navigating snowy weather, we could carry on our journey safely and without any worrying if the weather was to turn. I am so glad we planned for snow, as our first few hours driving were during a glorious snow fall, and in the dark no less. Where the vehicle really shone though was on some of the lesser used roads where the snow had compacted and started turning to ice. The car menus have a really cool graphic where it shows the traction/power being applied to each wheel and you could really tell where the car was working hard with all 4 wheels to keep you on the straight and narrow.
I am a bit of a fuel economy geek at home and it was interesting to see what a modern car like the Kia could achieve in economy compared to my old diesel Volvo. Our six-day trip, and many many miles of driving ,we averaged 7.2l/100km which isn’t too bad at all for a petrol engined 4×4.
Choosing the right hire car in Iceland really does depend on when you’re visiting and where you plan to go. We travelled when there was snow on the ground, so a 4×4 was an important part of our decision. If you’re visiting during the summer and sticking to the main tourist routes, you may find that a smaller car is perfectly suitable. It’s worth thinking about your itinerary, the weather and how much luggage you’re taking before deciding which vehicle is right for your family.
Luggage Space
Always a worry when you hire a car you’ve never seen before, but we managed to fit everything in comfortably in the boot, with a little hole left to see out of the rear windscreen. We took with us, 2 large suit cases, 4 carry on bags, 4 huge puffy coats. It all fitted in, snugly, but the tailgate closed and we were ready. I wouldn’t want to fit the luggage of 4 adults and 4 large cases in there, but you might get away with 3 large cases.
Child Car Seats for Iceland Car Hire
We were pre warned that the child seat would not be fitted but it took us just a few minutes to clip the isofix in and route the seat belt. Nothing strenuous or complicated and the seat was the ideal size for Effie. That’s it really, nothing to write home about which is good as the last thing you want to do after a long day of travelling is faffing with a child seat in an unfamiliar car.
If you’re hiring a car in Iceland with children, make sure you choose the correct child seat for their height and weight when making your booking. Iceland requires children under 135cm to use an appropriate child restraint, so it’s worth checking the available options before you travel. We found the seat provided for us straightforward to install, which was a relief after a long day of travelling. Just remember to check the fitting instructions and make sure the seat is secure before setting off.
Returning The Vehicle After Our Trip
No queues, no hanging around, super simple. All you have to do is return the car with a full fuel tank, and hand the key in. Easy as that. There are fuel stations at the edge of the airport so you don’t have to worry about driving and using fuel to return the car with less than a full tank. Our rental agreement with Zero Car, as with all Zero Car rentals, came with full insurance coverage so even if there had been a scratch, a bump or any damage to the car, it is completely covered and there’s no unexpected charges when you get home.
Driving in Iceland with Children
One of the best things about having our own hire car in Iceland was being able to explore at our own pace. With children, it’s lovely to have the flexibility to stop when you need to, take a break, grab some food or spend a little longer at somewhere you all love.
There can be quite a lot of driving involved in an Iceland holiday, so I’d recommend planning your days around the places you want to visit and allowing plenty of extra time for stops along the way. The weather can change quickly, and some roads are very different from those we’re used to in the UK, so always check the road and weather conditions before setting off.
Our Verdict: Zero Car Rental Iceland Review
Overall, we had a brilliant experience with Zero Car Rental during our family trip to Iceland. From the straightforward booking process and easy-to-add child seat to collecting the keys and returning the car at the end of our holiday, everything was really simple.
The Kia Sportage was a great choice for our family of four, with enough room for all our luggage and the reassurance of four-wheel drive while we were driving through some pretty snowy conditions. Having our own hire car also gave us the freedom to explore Iceland at our own pace, which is always a bonus when you’re travelling with children.
If you’re planning a family trip to Iceland and considering hiring a car, I’d definitely recommend taking the time to compare your options, think about where you’re planning to drive and check exactly what’s included in your insurance.
We had a fantastic experience with Zero Car Rental and would happily use them again on another trip to Iceland!
FAQ’s for Iceland Car Hire
Do you need to hire a car in Iceland with children?
Hiring a car gives families the flexibility to explore Iceland at their own pace, particularly if you’re planning to visit attractions outside Reykjavík. Whether it’s right for your trip depends on your itinerary and comfort with driving abroad.
Is a 4×4 necessary for Iceland?
Not for every trip. Many popular routes are accessible in a standard car during suitable conditions, but a suitable 4×4 is required on F-roads. Weather, season and your planned destinations should all influence your choice.
Can you hire a car with a child seat in Iceland?
Yes, child seats are available from many Icelandic car rental companies. Make sure you select the correct seat for your child’s size and reserve it when booking.
Is Zero Car Rental Iceland worth considering for families?
Based on our own experience, we found the booking process, child seat options, vehicle and return process straightforward. We had a really positive experience with our Kia Sportage, although it’s always worth comparing the current prices, vehicle availability and insurance terms before booking.
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT ONE OF THESE TOO!